Terms and Conditions

Whitsunday Charter Yachts - Hamilton Island - Luxury Motor Yacht under steam departing Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays


This website is managed by Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd (4116414), Licenced Inbound Operators.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Any cancellations need to be made in writing. 

Great Barrier Reef Tour Bookings

  • All Great Barrier Reef Tour bookings are on a "Live Availability - Instant Book" or on a Request Basis.
  • Request basis tour bookings are not confirmed until receiving confirmation from our office in writing.
  • We use STRIPE to ensure secure credit card authentication
Tour Supplier

Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd act as agents for the Tour Supplier (Supplier). Should the Supplier be unable to fulfil a confirmed tour booking (in full or part) for any reason beyond their or our control, we will use our best endeavours to find you an alternative tour of a similar standard. If we cannot find a suitable tour that is acceptable to you, all monies will be refunded in full minus your banks merchant fees.

If we are required to change any part of your booking for reasons beyond our control, for example, a Supplier overbooks the tour, we will notify you. If any such changes result in the itinerary costing more or otherwise being materially different from that originally booked, then you may cancel the tour and we will refund any monies already paid less your bank’s merchant facility fees and any charges such as government taxes collected and levied by Suppliers.

Some Suppliers may impose updated booking terms and conditions that vary from the conditions stated on this website and from the initial date of a confirmed booking.

All users of these services are to read all correspondence so as to be fully aware of your obligations of the travel services.

Responsibility

Information featured on this website has been supplied by the Suppliers providing the various goods and/or services (Products). In supplying this information to you, we are acting as the agent of such Suppliers. Irrespective of any measures taken by us to ensure the information featured on this site is accurate at the time of publication, we disclaim and will be exempt from liability in respect of anything misleading, false, incomplete or inaccurate and any errors, incorrect description and all associated disappointment, loss, expense, damage, inconvenience, delay, death, shock, illness or injury, however caused.

The Participant acknowledges and agrees that, upon booking a tour, attraction or adventure through Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, they have Acknowledgement of Risk, wherein the Participant releases Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd from any liability with respect to any injuries, loss or damages which may be sustained by the Participant in the course of undertaking any tour, attraction or adventure, whether dangerous, hazardous or otherwise.

All persons under the age of 18 years needs to have a parent or guardian travel with them on the booked tour, attraction or adventure. 

The Participant unconditionally agrees to fully indemnify Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and all its servants, agent's, clients and employees against any injury, damage or accident that may be sustained by the Participant, whilst participating in any tour, attraction or adventure booked through Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd or the Entities and Groups who offer various services to Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and also including tours, attractions and adventures won as prizes. 

The Participant warrants that he/she does not suffer from any Medical Condition and/or incapacity which may impair the Participants ability to participate in Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd tours, attractions and adventures and further, that the Participant does not suffer from any Heart Condition, Epilepsy, Asthma or other Medical Condition which may result in the Participant potentially placing himself/herself in a position of risk, by undertaking any tours, attractions or adventures booked through Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd. 

All users of these services are to read all correspondence so as to be fully aware of your obligations of the travel services.

It is the full responsibility of the Supplier to collect guests from their accommodation at the advised time by the Supplier if a request was made and confirmed for a transfer to the departure point for the tour. It is also the responsibility of the Supplier to return the guests back to the pick-up point as near to the time as possible and as indicated upon booking.

Please see the Supplier’s website for Terms and Conditions.

Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, acting as agents, take no responsibility for the Supplier’s pick-up and drop-off times. We suggest that all tourists should take out travel insurance for any unexpected incidents and read the Supplier’s Terms and Conditions.    

We do not control the manner in which Products featured within this site are provided. We disclaim and will be exempt from liability for anything to do with the supply of such Products. This includes liability (whether as a matter of contract, tort, statute, restitution, or otherwise) for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss, liability, claim, cost, expense, proceeding, demand, penalty, disappointment, death, injury, illness, shock, inconvenience, or delay.

This limitation of liability also applies irrespective of the cause, including negligence of us or a Supplier, withdrawal, cancellation, or failure to provide a Product, delay, any variation in the Product, the provision of substitute Products or a change in the Supplier. Without limitation, we will not be responsible if the Product is not available due to inclement weather conditions or other acts of nature, civil disturbances, fire, floods, acts of Government or any other authorities, accident to or failure of machinery or equipment or industrial action.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance as it may protect you if you cancel your holiday due to unforeseen circumstances.

Payment

Deposit or Part payment is available for advance bookings and Full payment is required at the time of booking for travel within a 2 week departure.

  • Upon completion of your booking, our computer system will confirm the authentication of your credit card payment via STRIPE. You will then automatically receive an email confirming your Great Barrier Reef tour booking request, and then you will be issued a Travel Voucher with all of the required travel details from our reservations team once your booking is confirmed.
  • If you are only paying a deposit or part payment for your tour we recommend a bank deposit to avoid Merchant Fees. (For International SWIFT transfers please consult your bank for transfer fees)  
  • If paying by deposit and part payment by bank deposit, our reservations team will confirm your booking at the time of reservation and hold that booking for 48 hours only. If we do not receive the deposit, part payment in our bank account our reservations team may cancel your booking.  
  • You are required to present your Voucher to the Tour Operator upon arrival and check-in.

Please note credit card merchant fees apply:

  • Visa Card and Master Card 1.2%
  • AMEX 1.8%
  • JCB 3.2%
Cancellation and Refunds

We recommend you purchase travel insurance from a reputable insurance company for all travel needs.

All tour and attraction cancellations are subject to the individual Tour Operator’s cancellation policies. An additional $60 administration fee may apply to any tour and activity cancellations on bookings made with the Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd.

All private charters cancellations are subject to the individual Tour Operator’s cancellation policies.

  • An additional $250 administration fee applies to any private day charters cancellations on bookings made with the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd.
  • An additional $450 administration fee applies to any extended/overnight private charters cancellations on bookings made with the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd.
  • Private Yacht/Boat Charters are subject to individual cancellation policies and will be advised at time of booking

Please note, cancellation policies vary from one Tour Operator to another and guests are advised to check the Tour Operators website. 

If a tour is cancelled by the Tour Operator, Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd will endeavour to source an alternative tour. If an alternative tour is not available, a full refund will be issued.

Credit card merchant fees are non-refundable.

No-Show Policy

No refund is applicable.

Check-in Procedure

You are required to present your Great Barrier Reef Tour Voucher upon check-in. You are advised to ensure you allow adequate time to arrive at the pick-up location or check-in location to ensure you do not miss your tour or delay the departure time in any way.

Website Information

While all efforts are made to ensure that the information contained within the website is correct, we cannot guarantee that the site is free from errors or omissions. We do not accept liability for any errors or omissions and reserve the right to change information at any time without notification. You must be at least 18 years of age to book online. All offers are subject to availability and the standard conditions of the Supplier.

Rate Match 

Tours: Rates are to be valid for the same period of travel in the same year, same booking terms and conditions for the same tours. Rate Match does not apply to one off promotions/price/deal that is or may be valid for less than a continuous 31 days or more. 

The Lowest Online Rate does not apply to Tours for the following:

• Special 'member only' rates available to members of special programs or associations (i.e. NRMA, AAA, RACV senior and government employee discounts and other clubs, associations or loyalty programmes.)

• Group rates

• Corporate or Government rates

• Wholesale rates

• Affinity/association rates

• Secret or auction sites where the tour is not known until booking is finalised.

All Rate Matches  are up to the discrection of Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, and it's associated companies. 

 

Gift Vouchers - Valid for 3 Years

Full Terms and Conditions relating to Gift Vouchers are available to read below:-

These “Terms and Conditions” relate to our current group of websites known under the Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd brand are:

and any future website managed by Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and for tours, experiences and accommodation where we act as agents.

The goods and services that can be purchased as a “Gift Voucher/Certificate” from these websites include tours and attractions or a Voucher to a nominated value in Australian currency to be spent on the aforementioned.

When you purchase a Gift Voucher from any of the websites that are managed by Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, you are bound by the Terms and Conditions that are published on this website.

*For more detailed information on Gift Voucher Terms and Conditions read Below

Normal cancellation penalties will apply see our terms and conditions on booking.

Australia Holiday Specialists E-Gift Voucher Terms and Conditions:
Please note there are two types of E-Gift Vouchers available for purchase as detailed below and identified as:

1.) Gift Vouchers With A Nominated Dollar Value Only

2.) Gift Vouchers Purchased For A Specific Tour, Attraction Or Experience

These E-Gift Voucher “Terms and Conditions” relate to our current group of websites and any future websites operated under the Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd company.

Current list of websites managed under Australia Holiday Specialists acting as agents are set down below:

The tours, attractions and services that can be purchased as an “E-Gift Voucher/Certificate” from these websites include overnight accommodation, tours, attractions and experiences or a voucher to a nominated value in Australian currency to be spent on the aforementioned.

When you are purchasing an E-Gift Voucher from any of the websites that are managed by Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd you and or the e-gift voucher recipient are bound by these Terms & Conditions.

Gift Giver
How To Purchase A Gift Voucher:

You may call Australia Holiday Specialists and discuss the “Gift Voucher” options and make payment with them over the telephone on +61 07 4059 59 59 or book online at:-

Please advise what message you would like written on the e-voucher along with the recipient’s email address or the postal address and the date you wish us to forward the gift voucher.

Once finalised we will email an “E-Gift Voucher” that has its own unique identifiable voucher number

1.) E-Gift Vouchers With A Dollar Value Only

You may like to purchase a Gift Voucher for a nominated AUD $ value and leave the choice of a tour, attraction or experience on behalf of the recipient

2.) E-Gift Vouchers Purchased For A Specific Tour, Attraction Or Experience

Browse our group of websites and nominate the particular tour, attraction or experience you wish to purchase for the gift recipient.

Choose the tour, attraction or experience you wish to purchase for the e-gift voucher recipient

Please note:

Some tours, attractions and experiences will require a minimum number of people, may have compulsory insurances, may be weight restricted, may need a health clearance and other necessary clearances.

Australia Holiday Specialist agents will discuss these requirements with you when choosing a tour, attraction or experience.

Expiry

Your gift vouchers are valid for 3 years from the fully paid purchase date

Also note that tour and attraction prices change on an annual basis. If the price of the tour or experience has increased since the vouchers fully paid purchase date, you will have to pay the difference.  

Bank Merchant Fees and Charges

Please also note when purchasing e-gift vouchers by credit card there are applicable bank merchant fees of 1.2% for Visa and Mastercard and 1.8% for American Express.

To avoid transaction fees you may also wish to transfer funds by bank. If transferring funds internationally you will need to use a SWIFT number and discuss the transaction costs with your personal bank

Other Fees And Charges 

For some tours and attractions there may be compulsory government charges for such things as EMC, Port Fees and insurances which will be discussed at the time of purchase which are to be paid by the gift voucher purchaser or by the e-gift voucher recipient on the day of travel

Refunds:

If you have purchased an E-Gift Voucher and you have changed your mind and would like us to cancel the voucher you will need to return the unused gift voucher to our offices for us to verify and cancel the voucher

All refunds will incur a 30% handling fee for the total value of that Gift voucher i.e.: $300 Gift Voucher value – 30% is a fee of $90.00 with the balance of $210.00 to be credited back to your account minus any bank merchant fees or other charges

All refund requests must be made and processed in writing 14 days prior to the departure or travel on the tour or experience and subject to the tour operators terms and conditions

No refunds will be made within the 14-day period of travel and refunds must be outside the 14 days of the 12-month validity period of the original purchase date of the Gift Voucher 

Please note:

Monies will be credited back to the E-Gift Voucher purchaser in the way they were made for the purchase originally i.e.: credit card, debit card, cash or bank transfer

Exchanges:

Should you wish to change your E-Gift voucher for another Tour or Experience you can change it with Australia Holiday Specialists who act as agents for those tours and or experiences for a fee of $30.00

Again this exchange must be outside the 14 days prior to travel or the booked date of the tour or experience

Should you wish to exchange the e-voucher for an experience or a tour of a lesser value any remaining balance will be credited to your Australia Holiday Specialists account to purchase further vouchers and it will be subject to the same expiry date as the original purchase date of the voucher  

If you wish to exchange your voucher for a higher value tour or experience this will need to be done 14 days prior to departure or travel and you will be required to pay at the time of the request.

Transfer of Gift Vouchers:

All “Gift Vouchers” are fully transferable and the terms and conditions here apply. Australia Holiday Specialists accepts no responsibility for any stolen or fraudulent E-Gift Vouchers.

Purchasers or recipients are to advice Australia Holiday Specialists the name of the person to whom the e-gift voucher has been transferred.

Gift Receiver
How To Use Your Gift Voucher:

Call the team at Australia Holiday Specialists on +61 07 4059 5959 to advise them of your “E-Gift Voucher Number” and advise them of your requested date of travel

They will then send you an electronic “Travel Voucher” via email for you to confirm your booking.

You then need to print this “Travel Voucher” and give it to the company that is providing you with your Tour or Experience on the day of travel.

Please follow the instructions on the E-Travel Voucher and browse the tour operator’s terms and conditions on their company website

Please note:

Should you not provide this “Travel Voucher” to the Tour operator/provider you may not be permitted to travel and your E-Gift Voucher may be cancelled and non-refundable. Please see the tour operators own terms and conditions  

Lost Gift Vouchers:

 If for some reason you cannot find your E-Gift Voucher you may be eligible to have a replacement voucher emailed. This will be at a cost of $30.00

Conditions for replacement are as follows:

The voucher is still valid and has not yet been exchanged or used
Proof of purchase is required. Invoice / receipt number or credit card receipt, purchasers full name and contact details are to be shown to Australia Holiday Specialists
Australia Holiday Specialists are able to verify from the E-Gift Giver that you are the E-Gift Recipient
Proof of the above is to be collected by the voucher recipient. Failure to do so will mean no replacement voucher can be issued

Australia Holiday Specialists Gift Card Expiry and Validity Extensions Terms and Conditions:

Please note there are two types of E-Gift Cards available for purchase as detailed below and identified as:

  • Gift Cards With A Dollar Value Only
  • Gift Cards Purchased For A Specific Tour, Attraction Or Experience

1.) Gift Cards With A Dollar Value Only

All E-Gift Vouchers based on a nominated AUD Dollar value are valid for up to 3 years (36 months) from the date of purchase and must be used within that time period for a tour, attraction or experience with the Australia Holiday Specialists and their associated companies 

Example:

Supply date 15/8/2020

Validity Date: 15/8/2023

Lost or Expired vouchers are non-refundable in whole or part and are no longer valid for use

All Gift Card recipients are to read and abide by our terms and conditions on acceptance of the gift card - Details of where to read the terms and conditions will be on the Gift Card Voucher

Gift Cards With A Dollar Value Validity Extension Requests

Should you wish to extend the validity date of the Gift Voucher you may do so at an administration cost of $30.00 including any bank merchant fees/handling fees for a further period of 60 days from the date of expiry 

The gift card extension request will need to be in writing, completed and paid for in full, 60 days prior to the expiration of the initial 36 months from the purchase date

Proof of purchase of the e-gift certificate is required

The E-Gift Voucher tour, attraction or experience must then be booked and travel completed within those 60 days from the date of the extension to be valid

We will not re-issue a new e-gift voucher as all records are kept electronically

Example:

Extension date 01/01/2020

Extension expiry date 29/02/2020

2.) Gift Cards Purchased For A Specific Tour, Attraction Or Experience

All Gift Vouchers for specifically chosen tour, attraction or experience are valid for use for up to 3 years (36 months) from the date of purchase and must be used within that time period for that tour, attraction or experience with the Australia Holiday Specialists and their associated companies 

Example:

Supply date 15/8/2020

Validity Date: 15/8/2023

Lost or Expired vouchers are non-refundable in whole or part and are no longer valid for use

Important Information Please Note:

The exception to a specifically chosen tour, attraction or experience validity is explained below 

Sell Rates on Tours, Attractions, Experiences

Tours, attractions and experiences are contracted by Australia Holiday Specialists on an annual basis with most contracts being valid from 1st April to 1st March the following year. Some contracts for tours attractions and experiences may be valid from 1st June to 30th May the following year.

At the time of purchase the Australia Holiday Specialists representative will advise on the date this contract term expires and the estimated increase in payment that will be required should the recipient of the e-gift voucher book a tour, attraction or experience outside the initial 12 month contracted period and the initial price paid for that tour, attraction or experience by the gift giver.

Australia Holiday Specialists may not be fully aware of the dollar value increase of the tour, attraction or experience until the next 12-month contract period has been finalised

Bank merchant fees and other fees such as Government fees or tour operators’ fees are to be paid at the time of purchasing the tour, attraction or experience and the associated gift card

Example Of 12 Month Contract Period:

Contract Supply Date 01/04/2020

Contract Validity Date: 31/03/2021

Should the recipient wish to participate in the tour, attraction or experience outside the initial contract period such as the above example, they must speak to an Australia Holiday Specialists representative to confirm the booking and first pay the increase in the contracted rate for that tour, attraction or experience along with any bank merchant fees and associated fees before the booking is confirmed

Gift Cards Purchased For A Specific Tour, Attraction Or Experience - Validity Extension Requests

Should you wish to extend the validity date of the E-Gift Voucher you may do so at an administration cost of $30.00 including any bank merchant fees/handling fees for a further period of 60 days from the date of expiry 

The gift card extension request will need to be in writing, completed and paid for in full, 60 days prior to the expiration of the initial 3 years (36 months) from the purchase date

Proof of purchase of the original e-gift certificate is required

The E-Gift Voucher tour, attraction or experience must then be booked and travel completed within those 60 days from the date of the extension to be valid

We will not re-issue a new gift voucher as all records are kept electronically

All Gift Card recipients are to read and abide by our terms and conditions on acceptance of the gift card – Details of where to read the terms and conditions will be on the Gift Card Voucher

Where To Find The Expiration Date:

Please see expiration date in bottom right hand corner of your E-Gift Voucher

Where To Find The Terms And Conditions Of Use:

Bottom right hand corner of the E-Gift Voucher

Service Providers of Tours, Attractions and Experiences:

Gift Vouchers are sold by Australia Holiday Specialists acting as agent for these companies.

All Gift Vouchers are issued subject to the terms and conditions of each Tour, Attraction or Experience service provider along with the terms and conditions of Australia Holiday Specialists as written here and we suggest you read the terms and conditions of each experience and tour on their own websites prior to travel

Australia Holiday Specialists is not the provider of such services and or experiences and has no responsibility for any services or experiences provided or not provided by the tour experience provider or any other party, we act only as agent of the service provider.

Note:

You are advised to check the tour, attraction or experience providers safety certificates and insurances to satisfy yourself as this is not a responsibility of Australia Holiday Specialists acting as their agent

Australia Holiday Specialists makes no warranty or representation regarding the standard of any service to be provided as we act only as the agent of these services on behalf of the tour operator

Australia Holiday Specialists Liability:

Australia Holiday Specialists has no liability for any act, omission or default, whether negligent or otherwise of any tour or experience provider or third party.

Australia Holiday Specialists has no liability for any loss or damage occasioned by any negligent act or omission of any experience provider or third party

Where Australia Holiday Specialists liability cannot be excluded, such liability is limited to the value of the E-Gift Voucher purchased

Availability of Tours And Experiences:

As Australia is a very busy tourist destination all year round we suggest you book your Tour or Experience at least 3 weeks in advance to avoid disappointment due to no availability. Your Tour or Experience is not confirmed until you receive your E-Travel Voucher from Australia Holiday Specialists with the travel dates as requested

We suggest you contact the Tour or Experience provider at least two days before travel to confirm your travel details  

Insurance and Taxes For Tours and Experiences:

Some Tours or Experiences may have a degree of difficulty and possibility of danger so some tour operators may ask you to pay a nominal fee towards insurance to cover you in case of an accident. This payment is to be made direct to the tour provider.

Some tour operators such as the Great Barrier Reef tour operators are required to collect an Environmental Management Fee from each of its passengers that travel out to the reefs and islands. This fee is payable direct to the tour operator

All fees are clearly displayed on the terms and conditions of travel on the tour operator’s website and on the Australia Holiday Specialists vouchers

Restrictions on Tours and Experiences:

Certain Tours and Experiences require a person to have full mobility and be responsible for their own safety and security and some Tours and Experiences are subject to minimum age, weight and other health restrictions please discuss this with the team at Australia Holiday Specialists upon booking.

Please note you will be ineligible to participate in a Tour or Experience should you be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or be of a violent nature on the date of travel and your E-Travel voucher will become invalid and you may be liable for charges by the provider of your Tour or Experience

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